You could say that as a bike shop owners, we are biased. But we happen to believe that the products we sell make great Christmas gifts for kids and grown-ups alike. Wrap one up, and you're giving mobility, independence, fitness, fun and adventure, as well as something durable that will last for years. For well under a grand, you could buy many seasons' worth of autonomous travel.

In our humble opinion, bicycles, even pricier ones, are one of the most affordable transportation choices around. However, I can also appreciate the fact that there are a lot of folks out there who find it difficult to fork over a few hundred dollars to purchase a new bicycle. If you are in the market for a bargain, please remember that you are not likely to get one at a large-box retailer. A better choice would be to find a decent second-hand bicycle from a reputable source.

I think many of us, if not most, embrace the concept of shopping locally. This isn't limited to local farmers' markets. All your local merchants invest untold time, energy, perseverance and love to bring you the services and merchandise that we think you are looking for. We have taken care to staff our stores with people who care about your project and are eager to share their expertise and craftsmanship.

If all you want is to "showroom" for the best price, we have no choice but to swallow hard, and accept it as the harsh reality of today's market.

If you are looking to purchase a new bike, the first step to a successful experience is finding the right shop. This is especially true if you are new to biking. The reason for this is, that if you really intend to use your bike, the bike purchase itself is not the end of the line. Rather, it is a beginning of a relationship, which should be based on trust.

Maybe that's too touchy-feely for some people. The anonymous experience of buying a bike from a megamart may be a little less intimidating. After all, there is noone there to size you up and ask those rather personal questions about comfort and fit. But, believe me, if you're going to take biking seriously, you have to get a little touchy-feely with your friendly bike shop, or at least a friendly bike shop employee.

Think about how you intend to use your bike. Are you a recreational rider, and plan to use your bike occasionally in nice weather, or will you depend on it for your daily commute or errands? Do you have to carry children or cargo? Is your commute very long, or do you wish to combine biking with transit? Do you prefer a lightweight, speedy bike, or is comfort a more important consideration? Do you need a bike that has to serve two or more distinctly different purposes, such as commuting and training for an athletic event? Where do you plan to store your bike?

With the exception of very specialized types of riding, most bikes can be successfully adapted to most urban riding styles. However, these questions, and many others, will help you and the salesperson you are working with, zero in on the features that are most important to you, and help you select the most suitable bike for your particular needs.

Were it not for the invention of the hybrid bike, urban cycling in the US would not be what it is today. What started out as cross between a mountain bike and a road bike resulted in a new bike category, offering a more comfortable sitting position, and more sensible tire width than either of the parents. And, what started out as a compromise between two styles of riding, actually created a riding style all of its own. Thanks to their versatility, utility and ease of use, hybrid bikes made urban biking accessible and convenient for all. For the majority of urban cyclists, a hybrid is still a great choice, because it adapts well to a variety of uses.